Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7X - Real Life Trail Run / Hike Comparison!

Bought the 7x solar to give it a go, mainly for the insane battery life and the odd workout here and there plus sleep tracking. Coming from AWU I’m curious which I’ll like more and end up keeping.

Right off the batt, over night trail run is a no no for Ultra. In fact, any trail run.

The most important decision... if you don't have an iPhone, 90% of features are not available...

I’m in the Apple platform but I absolutely hate the battery life on it and hate that it really only last less than 2 days

Apple Watch Ultra looks decent for outdoors and amazing in everyday life. As a non-pro athlete and sometimes outdoorsman I think there's no question Apple wins.

EXCELENT COMPARISON! Deep into THE REAL use! CONGRATS! And Id like to comment that, there is no the best or the worst one, both are AWESOME DEVICES! What is the most important to choose one of them, or any other available in the market, is IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED AND THE PURPOSE!
If you need a powerful computer for navigation, GARMIN FENIX 7X is the best! But, if you are an urban tech boy enthusiast, that goes to hike twice a year... APPLE WATCH! 🤣😂😇😛

Accuracy of both?

For MOUNTAIN BIKING-best watch for accurate physio(heart rate, training level, readiness, sleep, O2, etc.) GPS accuracy, etc.? I am NOT a runner. Thank you!

too much stuff on the apple for me. Also, not sure my old eyes could read the Apple. I think I will stick with my Garmin Fenix

I'd bring a phone anyway... So the cellular function on the AWU isn't that much of a draw for me.

garmin all the way..try to use that apple toy in the rain or longere then 20 hours in the wild with no powerbank..lmao..for that prize apple watch cost you can get at least 2 way better watches..lmao

I gave you a thumbs up but can't sub. You make me want to buy stuff lol

For an athlete. Garmin
For a normal use: Apple Watch Ultra.
Period!

In the Uk currently Fenix 7x solar sapphire is £650 and AWU is £850, I know which I’m getting

I still can’t decide AW ultra vs fenix 7x sapphire. I have both of them, but prefer to wear one all the time. For running and bike both are OK. Garmin connect is much better app, on Apple you need to mix different apps. Screen - here big win to Ultra, but battery is another thing - then fenix. Hard choice 😅

Heard some worrying stories of Apple watch just randomly stopping tracking during longer activities.. never heard of a Garmin doing this. Not an issue on my 10k but if I was into ultras or longer hikes it would be a real concern.

well done bro :) thnx!

Have you tested out the route feature to much extent? Interested in knowing if it’s efficient or if the routes are actually practical. Thanks!

AWU has off line mapping before you go you download map tiles to the place your going with no service and you can still use it backtrack everything you wanna do …..

The galaxy watch pro is better.. just kidding xd

Are you switching to the ultra?

Thank you

Garmin all the way especially if you're a fitness nut like myself and spend most of my time outdoors. And an Apple if I was sitting in an office. I don't like Apple full stop anyway.

Now that the Garmin 6xPro is ~$400, it's tempting for me to go to that. I'm coming from s Suunto Ambit3 Peak which is super old! I'm just not convinced that the Fenix 7 is worth the extra $$$$. Thoughts?

FYI. The thumbnail shows the 7x screen to be quite dim. You can actually turn up the brightness quite a bit.

Great video and overview of both watches used in the hiking/trail running use case! Very objective and professional. 👍

I own both of these smartwatches and I like using each of them, for different reasons (many of which were highlighted here). It seems like the trade offs between the two devices makes them fairly level for most “casual” outings. When activities get to the extremes (days-long hike/runs) - “ultras”, etc. maybe it is time to take the Garmin and a smartphone. I may have to go and do more test running like this myself (likely in the western NC mountains)!

Maybe try using Strava?

Thank you for comparison
I want to buy fenix 7 but my budget is limited. sapphire display is necessary?
I mean standard display is too weak?

On the Apple Watch u can simply use Maps instead of the Compass app?

I think it is important to point out you can not use an Apple Watch without an iPhone. It won’t even work with an iPad.

Would be nice to see specific running sport program comparison with apple watch ie repeats, intervals, etc. how you make them: Garmin is quite competitive with this.

Thank you.

Great video. Thanks for posting.

I was aiming to get the Amazfit Falcon after your review, the only reason I went for The AWU after more consideration was the fact I use apple pay for public transport on a daily basis. I might get the other watch for more adventurous voyages in the future. For now, the AWU will fulfill all needs

There would be literally no comparison if Garmin could improve their Display and bring it at par with Apple. Although that would compromise the Battery life to a certain extent, I am sure a lot of people would be Ok with that... Or maybe if they could design a Model with a better display but lesser battery life for people who prioritise Display more...

Love the comparison. Not going to lie, if there was a Garmin that had a phone included, it would be no contest for me.

The biggest downside of the Apple watch is it looks horrible! ;)

Hello i'm stuck between a rock, i'm thinking about getting the Apple watch ultra for Gym, outdoor exercises such as hiking trails, skiing, walking, jogging, running I have a MacBook Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max i never had a fitness watch before, i'm just tired of lugging my iPhone 14 promax in the gym I would like to pair up my $280 Bose to the Apple Watch if i get one next week, i was looking at something called Garmin fenix 7 i've never had any of their stuff except for GPS for the car ha ha I'm stuck I don't know which one to get does garmin Fenix 7 have LTE cellular? where i can make calls with it in case i leave my phone at home?? Does Garmin fenix 7 offer anything like damage protection like Apple care does? lol

Where is keeping track of your calories option? On garmin

Good morning, my friend, from Greece I saw a tattoo in your left hand. You’re a Greek man.

If lost and in the middle of nowhere, which watch is the one you would have? That's the question!

For a little less than the Apple Watch Ultra, I can get an Apple Watch SE 2022 and a Garmin Fenix 6X pro or six pro solar. Many authorized sellers have either the 6x pro or 6 pro Solar for ~$380 usd and AW SE (GPS, WiFi, Cellular) $329. Also note, the Apple Watch SE 2022 has most of the features of the AW series 8 and Ultra. Put a spigen bumper and a 3rd party alpine loop band on and the SE 2022 will be ruggedized. Remember, roughly 2.5 Apple Watch SE units equal an ultra so it is financially easier to replace. Plus the basic AW are fairly robust and will be even more so if you use a bumper. Two exceptions I see for the AW ultra: would be for the diving features, but if you are a diver you already have something you trust that has better battery life and will not become obsolete quickly by software. The other, would be a person that only wants one watch but in many cases you can use different devices and sync to a singular health portal (i.e. Apple health).

The benefit of using a combination of devices is you can cheaply replace the Apple Watch SE as technology dictates. While the previous gen Garmin Fenix (6X pro or 6 pro solar), is still getting feature updates and enchantments coupled with a much better battery life (over AW Ultra). Many of the activity stats from using the Garmin device sync one way into the Apple Health providing a unified portal for health tracking data. So for daily workouts I’ll use the AW SE 2022 and longer activities (primarily outdoor kayaking, hiking, etc) use the Fenix. Then replace the SE when the 3rd gen comes out and replace in the Garmin in another 3-5 years (or longer).

Great explanation of the "low power" mode and what it affects (and does not).

Can we get a list of features we wish the AWU would add? I feel Apple got some things wrong, but can also easily fix them and make the current hardware great.

Re-tool the UI for the Ultra to be able to control it with only buttons and the digital crown. I was a bit shocked to see this omitted.
Better post-workout and recovery analysis to bring it in line with what Garmin offers.
Ability to turn individual functions on and off to conserve battery (a customizable low power mode)
Obviously offline mapping, turn by turn, and all of that good stuff.
Merge the "Fitness" and "Health" apps into one app "Health" to streamline things, bring it inline with Garmin Connect.

I would ditch my Fenix 7x tomorrow if they added these things. What would you like to see Apple add?

Hiking, camping, canoeing, has to be the Garmin.

And then there is the Garmin Connect app.

Hi dave do you need amazon music app on to play music via control my phone?
Your channel doing well. Have you compared apple to epix screens?

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NICE!!!